On the hunt for the most appropriate gift or toy for a 3 year old boy? You’ve come to the right place. We are parents that get nerdy about research and testing. We also take on board advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organisation, and so we’re pretty confident that the toys on our list will be just right.
Your little man is (hopefully) about to move beyond the ‘terrible twos’. Phew! He is now entering a magical phase of life where fantasy and imagination take hold. Finding the best toys for 3 year olds is all about nurturing this imagination whilst providing a fun challenge for their increasingly skilled hands and fingers.
Our top picks of gift ideas for 3 year old boys
#1
Our opinion
It’s not just toddler girls who are into kitchens. Nope! At this age, boys haven’t yet developed their aversion to housework, so he’ll love this wooden toy kitchen (check price on Amazon).
Melissa & Doug have made this kitchen easy to assemble for us parents. And, once up, it’s big enough for multiple kids to play at once. The kitchen includes an oven with turnable dials, stove, microwave with a spinning plate, sink, grocery checklist, refrigerator with working ice dispenser, freezer, and lots of cupboards and draws for storage… phew!
Why He’ll Love It: At this age, kids love to imitate, so he’ll have a blast copying mom and dad whilst cooking his make-believe meals!
#2
Our opinion
The Original AirFort by Digital Camo (check price on Amazon) lets you create an instant fort for your kids. It inflates within 30 seconds and will have your kids squealing with excitement as they watch in anticipation. The AirFort is lightweight, at only 24 ounces, and has a durable fabric, so you can take on the road when visiting Grandmas or throwing a party.
The fan is NOT included, but if you have access to a standard household fan and power, then you can erect the fort anywhere, making for hours of fun for your kids.
Why He’ll Love It: No more sheets and chairs which keep falling over and causing frustration. The AirFort is an awesome playspace in seconds.
#3
Our opinion
Your kiddo can work on his fine motor skills as he loads his little cars onto this Melissa & Doug Carrier Truck (check price on Amazon). With a ramp that is easy to fold up and down, he can “drive” the vehicles into their places on the hauler and deliver them to their destinations.
This is a great toy for creative play, and can also be used to work on those color recognition skills.
Why He’ll Love It: The vibrant hues will instantly attract a toddler, and the toy itself is great for free play.
#4
Our opinion
This fabulous dragon is BIG! And, don’t be fooled by the older kid in the picture opposite – this dragon will be a smash hit with toddlers. Made by Melissa & Doug, this giant plush animal toy (check price on Amazon) is good quality and sturdy. It’ll dominate your kid’s room in a lovely, magical way. He’ll never forget it and it’ll probably turn into his best friend.
Why He’ll Love Them: It’s huge and cuddly. Heck! he can even ride on it.
#5
Our opinion
3 year olds live in a world of wonder. This fabulous wooden playhouse (check price on Amazon) is perfect for nurturing their imagination and developing their fine motor skills.
I hesitate to use the term “dolls house” because, sadly, too often, these playhouses are aimed at girls and boys miss out. This one is very different. Hape has designed it beautifully to be very gender neutral. It’ll fit just as well in a boy’s room as a girl’s. (Not that he cares, but it means that parents can relax without worrying about Grandpa making comments about “girls toys”!)
With carefully crafted rooms and accessories, the Hape Wooden Playhouse will encourage imaginative role play. It is easily assembled and is finished with non-toxic materials.
Why He’ll Love It: It is built in a clever way that allows easy access to all rooms. Perfect for careful, quiet play… or for when the dinosaurs want to attack!
#6
Our opinion
The Kids First Science Laboratory Kit (check price on Amazon) will spark an interest in the sciences at an early age. It comes with carefully crafted tools and well thought-through experiments that are easy for small 3-year-olds.
Kids will enjoy 24 tools and 10 experiment cards, and parents will appreciate the full-color parent guide. All in all, this Kids Firsts science kit is the perfect hands-on introduction to STEM subjects.
Why He’ll Love It: The kit boasts a variety of safe and appropriate tools that allow him to experiment and be creative.
#7
Our opinion
If you have a little boy who loves tools, he’ll love this toy. By using the wrench, power drill, and screwdriver to place the colored “bolts” in the plastic frame, he’ll advance his fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and color recognition abilities.
While it can be a bit tedious to pack up the 120 included “bolts” once playtime is over, the Design & Drill Activity Center (check price on Amazon) toy has many developmental benefits.
Why He’ll Love It: Your boy will love being able to emulate his handy Mom and Dad by having his very own toolset.
#8
Our opinion
Whether your boy wants to play with this on land, in the bath, or in the pool, he can improve his motor skills and his object recognition abilities. There are several action figure accessories included and, when playtime is over, they fit neatly into the ship’s storage space.
This PLAYMOBIL My Take Along Ship (check price on Amazon) does not have a built-in drain to let out the water it takes on, so be sure to clean it after use to prevent mold growth.
Why He’ll Love It: With accessories like fish, people, and a whale included, your son can let his imagination run wild.
#9
Our opinion
You can give your boy his own little space with this tent (check price on Amazon). Since it hangs from the ceiling, draping to the floor, you don’t have to worry about weight limits; you can even join him inside for a good old-fashioned story time! Please note that this product doesn’t come with the needed hardware to hang it up.
Why He’ll Love It: The padded mat provides a comfortable seat, and the tent flaps can be closed for extra privacy.
#10
Our opinion
Your little boy can look at anything through a plastic lens, which magnifies up to 8 times. There aren’t any slides required; he simply has to put an object on the base and he is ready to go.
He’ll get some practice with his motor skills as he adjusts the knobs for focus and will get to explore a whole new world hidden in everyday objects.
Why He’ll Love It: He can pick virtually any object he wants and have a great learning experience either with you or independently.
#11
Our opinion
These creative stackable blocks (check price on Amazon) can help your boy develop his critical thinking skills, color recognition, and fine motor skills. You can use them during organized play by creating a puzzle, or let your boy enjoy a free building experience.
Since the stains are water-based and non-toxic, and the wood comes has been sustainably harvested, this toy is both kid and eco-friendly.
Why He’ll Love It: Whether your boy is in the mood to build something of his own creation, or he prefers to have some puzzle-solving fun, these blocks provide an engaging creative outlet.
#12
Our opinion
I know what you’re thinking… but really it’s not that expensive. This miniature ride-on Porsche Macan (check price on Amazon) is remarkably true to its real-life counterpart, and provided you’ve got enough space for this to trundle around, then your three-year-old will love cruising around in it. With a top speed of 2.5mph, it’s fast enough to keep a toddler excited whilst still being safe.
It features realistic engine noises and horn, plus it’s got genuine LED headlights. Super-cool, eh!
Why He’ll Love It: The best Power Wheels and electric ride-on toys are guaranteed to have toddlers mesmerized.
#13
Our opinion
This walkie talkie (check price on Amazon) has a 3-mile range and is relatively easy for young kids. We’ve chosen this because young boys love walkie talkies but most of the cheap toy ones simply don’t work. These are different and their quality is a cut above.
Mom or Dad will need to help getting things going, but when your little one gets the hang of it, he will actually be able to communicate clearly with his buddies across the street. Hours of fun!
Why He’ll Love It: It has a voice-activated speaker and a LED flashlight on the top.
#14
Our opinion
Hey Clay (check price on Amazon) is a light, flexible modeling clay that will spark your little one’s imagination. This kit includes 18 cans of colorful muds as well as a promo code for the Hey Clay Animal app. The clay is non-toxic and will not stick to your child’s fingers. It offers endless creative possibilities. What’s more, it promotes hand-eye coordination.
Why He’ll Love It: Your kiddo will enjoy preserving his clay creations forever. When exposed to air, Hey Clay dries in 24 hours. With the help of the Hey Clay Animal app, your little one will be able to create a barnyard of molded clay animals.
#15
Our opinion
Melissa & Doug have succeeded in producing yet another classic toy with this lovely wooden abacus (check price on Amazon) . This colorful counting tool will help your 3-year-old grasp the concepts of addition and subtraction. The bright wood beads can serve as the backbone for dozens of interactive learning activities. Many children find the little beads to be soothing manipulative.
Why He’ll Love It: He’ll enjoy using this colorful abacus to count from one to 10 and identify basic colors. There’s no need to download an app or sit in front of a tablet.
#16
Our opinion
Flybar My First Foam Pogo Jumper Stick (check price on Amazon) offers safe bouncing sessions. It has a large foam base. The foundation prevents kids from flying too high. It comes in a range of colors, making it super easy for you to customize your precious toddler’s gift. While it lacks a traditional spring, it still squeaks each time it is launched into the air. Your kiddo will have no trouble warming up to this high-flying pursuit. It may even help him check off some important developmental milestones.
Why He’ll Love It: He’ll love bouncing around the house on this child-friendly pogo stick. The forgiving foam base will protect him from harming himself.
#17
Our opinion
This adorable little wooden workbench (check price on Target) is equipped with tools, hardware, and building supplies. The durable wooden materials are designed to last several years. The small manipulatives will help your little guy work on his hand-eye coordination.
Why He’ll Love It: He’ll love tinkering away at his workbench. He may even be able to follow the instructions on one of the simple project cards.
#18
Our opinion
This charming Thomas the Train book set (check price on Target) comes in a handy lunchbox-shaped tote bag. The pouch contains “Go, Train, Go,” “Stop, Train, Stop,” “A Crack in the Track,” and “Blue Train, Green Train.” This condensed collection of train-themed literature is perfect for toddlers on the go. This is a must-have for fans of Thomas and his friends. It only takes a few minutes to read one of these stories, but the bonding experience is something that will last a lifetime.
Why He’ll Love It: This lunchbox full of Thomas the Train books is the perfect way to foster your young one’s love of literature. He’ll be thrilled to read about his favorite trains’ adventures.
#19
Our opinion
This adorable wood railway sets (check price on Walmart) the stage for hours of pretend play. He can build a train track and then use the characters and trains to simulate activity. With well over 100 pieces, pick-up time can be frustrating. You can avoid this stress by investing in a simple train table.
Why He’ll Love It: He’ll love sending cargo from the railway to the loading docks. The magnetic crane offers a realistic look at the shipping industry. This train set is even compatible with other wooden train systems. This toy will certainly spark his imagination.
#20
Our opinion
This Monster Jam Arena (check price on Walmart) is the perfect stage for rough-and-tumble races and competitions. It comes with 2 pounds of “dirt” and several sculpting tools. These heavy-duty vehicles offer endless entertainment. There’s even a race track that goes around the arena’s perimeter. While it comes with a monster truck, your little guy can use other vehicles to simulate races and stunts.
Why He’ll Love It: He’ll love leaving monster-sized tread marks in his dirt-filled arena. What’s more, he’ll love building and destroying his very own Monster Jam competition course.
What to expect from your 3 year old boy
Your little one is fast becoming his own person. This year is all about imaginative play, but you’ll also see huge leaps forward in his cognitive and social abilities.
Here are a few of things your little boy will start doing between the ages of 3 and 4 (see complete list):
Body, hand and finger skills
- Balances on one foot;
- Starts to hop, gallop and somersault (all very clumsily, mind);
- Builds a tower of up to 10 bricks;
- Starts drawing on his own;
- Copies snipping with scissors
Emotional development
- More independent;
- Begins to do what you ask (sometimes, at least);
- Uses the toilet himself;
- Can have imaginary friends;
- May play with other children and enjoy some group games;
- Starts to bargain and negotiate with grown-ups;
- Sometimes shares when asked to
Cognitive development
- Numerical concept of 2 or 3;
- Identifies a few colors;
- Enjoys listening to short stories;
- Answers simple yes or no questions;
- Can pick objects that are big or little, heavy or light, hard or soft;
- Talks in short sentences;
- Language is getting much more advanced;
- Can match a few colors;
- Can answer simple ‘why’ questions and tell simple stories
Wrapping up
Appropriate gifts or toys for 3 year olds will fuel their imagination, provide their hands and brains with mechanical challenges, and also give the opportunity for joint play with other children. The items on this list should meet all these criteria.
Let us know how he gets along with them!
